Living
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [1]
1 . Outside of the Gospels ‘living’ does not occur as a noun in the Authorized Versionof the Nt, but is found three times in the Revised Version, viz. in 1 Peter 1:15, 2 Peter 3:11, where it denotes the manner of life (Authorized Version‘conversation,’ Gr. ἀναστροφή), and in Revelation 18:17, where ‘gain their living ( i.e. means of life) by sea’ represents the Authorized Version‘trade by sea,’ the Revised Version margin ‘work the sea,’ Gr. τὴν θάλασσαν ἐργάζονται.
2 . ‘Living’ as a verb is found in both the Authorized Versionand the Revised Versionof Colossians 2:20, ‘living in the world,’ where the Gr. is ζῶντες; and Titus 3:3, ‘living in malice’ (Gr. διάγοντες).
3 . The adj. ‘living’ (Gr. ζῶν) occurs frequently and is used with various shades of meaning.-(1) In the ordinary sense of being alive in contrast with dead ( Romans 12:1; Romans 14:9, Revised Versionof Revelation 1:18). In Acts 10:42, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5 both the Authorized Versionand the Revised Versiontranslate ζῶντες by ‘quick.’ In the ‘living soul’ of 1 Corinthians 15:45 and Revelation 16:3 the word has the same meaning; in the latter passage, however, the literal rendering of the Gr. is ‘soul of life’ (Revised Version margin).-(2) The ‘living creatures’ (Revised Version; Authorized Version‘beasts’; Gr. ζῷα, being the Septuagintequivalent of חַיוֹת in Ezekiel 1:5, etc.) of Revelation 4:6; Revelation 4:8, etc., are so called as being not alive merely, but instinct with life and activity (cf. Ezekiel 1:14).-(3) With an intensified force the word is used of God, who is called ‘the living God’ ( Acts 14:15, Romans 9:26, 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:17 [Authorized Version], Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:31; Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 7:2) not only as being self-existent, but as possessing the fullness of life in absolute perfection.-(4) Figuratively, the expression is applied to the oracles given by God to Moses ( Acts 7:38, Authorized Version‘lively’); to the word of God generally ( Hebrews 4:12, Authorized Version‘quick’); to the way into the holy place which Jesus dedicated for us ( Hebrews 10:20); to the hope unto which God has begotten us by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ( 1 Peter 1:3, Authorized Version‘lively’); to the Stone rejected of men but with God elect, precious ( 1 Peter 2:4), and the stones built up on that foundation into a spiritual house ( 1 Peter 2:5, Authorized Version‘lively’); to the fountains of waters to which the Lamb shall lead His people ( Revelation 7:17 Tr [Note: Textus Receptus, Received Text.]and Authorized Version; Revised Version‘fountains of waters of life’). The precise force of ‘living’ in each of these cases is determined by the word to which it is attached and the context in which it is set. The word of God is living because, being God’s, it is instinct with His own life; the way into the holy place because it is real and efficacious, as contrasted with the mere ceremony of entrance into the earthly sanctuary; the Christian hope because it is the result of a Divine begetting, and is therefore lasting and certain of fruition as human hopes are not; the heavenly fountains because they are ever ‘springing up unto eternal life’ (cf. John 4:10; John 4:14). The elect Stone and the stones built upon it are living stones because the persons whom they metaphorically represent are living persons-the One alive with the very life of God, the others sharing in that life through their union with Him.
King James Dictionary [2]
Liv'Ing, ppr. from live.
1. Dwelling residing existing subsisting having life or the vital functions in operation not dead. 2. a. Issuing continually from the earth running flowing as a living spring or fountain opposed to stagnant. 3. a. Producing action, animation and vigor quickening as a living principle a living faith.
Liv'Ing, n. He or those who are alive usually with a plural signification as in the land of the living.
The living will lay it to his heart. Ecclesiastes 7 .
Liv'Ing, n.
1. Means of subsistence estate.
He divided to them his living. Luke 15 .
She of her want, did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 41 .
2. Power of continuing life. There is no living with a scold.
There is no living without trusting some body or other in some cases.
3. Livelihood. He made a living by his occupation. The woman spins for a living. 4. The benefice of a clergyman. He lost his living by non-conformity.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) The benefice of a clergyman; an ecclesiastical charge which a minister receives.
(2): ( p. pr. & vb. n.) of Live
(3): ( n.) Power of continuing life; the act of living, or living comfortably.
(4): ( n.) Means of subsistence; sustenance; estate.
(5): ( n.) Manner of life; as, riotous living; penurious living; earnest living.
(6): ( n.) The state of one who, or that which, lives; lives; life; existence.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [4]
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [5]
a term often used in England to denote a benefice (q.v.).
